Multi-sport apparatus

ABSTRACT

A multi-sport apparatus is provided including a handle portion and a head portion. The head portion includes a hingedly attached hinge portion moveable between a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration a longitudinal axis of the hinge portion extends parallel to a longitudinal axis of the head portion. In the second configuration the longitudinal axis of the hinge portion extends at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the head portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.61/761,655, filed on Feb. 6, 2013, U.S. Provisional Application No.61/762,963, filed on Feb. 11, 2013, U.S. Provisional Application No.61/827,010, filed on May 24, 2013, and U.S. Provisional Application No.61/830,131, filed on Jun. 2, 2013, the disclosures of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to sporting equipment, and, inparticular, to storage within sporting equipment for sporting equipmentof multiple sports.

BACKGROUND

Different types of sporting equipment are well known to those ofordinary skill in the art. As examples of popular sports in the UnitedStates, the sport of soccer requires a soccer ball, the sport offootball requires a football, the sport of baseball requires a baseballand a bat, the sport of golf requires a golf ball and a golf club. Othersports may include rugby, cricket, croquet, and others which all mayrequire unique equipment.

Each sport or game requires different types of equipment and/or balls,as is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, theshape of a soccer ball is different than the shape of a football. Asanother example, the size of a soccer ball is larger than the size of abaseball or golf ball. A ball for one sport may not be suitable as aball for another sport.

Similarly, the types of bats or clubs required for each sport may bedifferent. For example, a baseball bat is a different shape than a golfclub. Because of the different types of equipment and balls required fordifferent sports, a person that desires to play multiple sports or gamesmust also have the different respective sporting equipment and balls foreach of the desired sports. As such, in order to satisfy the desire toplay multiple sports, large containers or bags are used to store andtransport the different types of equipment and balls. Accordingly, thereremains a need for a space efficient and convenient way to storeequipment and balls for multiple sports.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment, a multi-sport ball comprises an outer ballhaving an outer ball first side and an outer ball second side, whereinthe outer ball forms an intermediate compartment therein; anintermediate ball having a different shape than the outer ball, whereinthe intermediate compartment is configured to receive the intermediateball; the outer ball first side and the outer ball second side eachhaving a mating face, wherein the outer ball first side and the outerball second side are configured to be separated at the mating faces.

According to an embodiment, a system comprises a memory; and a processorcoupled to the memory, the processor being configured to: collect datafrom a user device regarding a plurality of desired games; allocate timeto play each of the plurality of desired games; alert a user for a starttime of each of the plurality of desired games; and provide a time foran allocated time of play for each of the desired games.

According to an embodiment, a computer readable storage medium comprisesinstructions that if executed enables a computing system to: collectdata from a user device regarding a plurality of desired games;determine an allocation of time to play the plurality of desired games;alert a user for a start time of each of the plurality of desired games;and provide a time for an allocated time of play for each of the desiredgames.

According to an embodiment, a method of determining game play comprisesproviding a plurality of game options; determining a desired quantity ofgame play by the user device; determining a proportion of total gameplay duration for each of the plurality of games by a computing deviceby the user device, providing a timer for each of the plurality of gamesby the user device, wherein the timer is configured based on theproportion of total game play duration determined for each of theplurality of games.

According to an embodiment, a multi-sport apparatus comprises a handleportion, a head portion having a hingedly attached hinge portionmoveable between a first configuration and a second configuration,wherein in the first configuration a longitudinal axis of the hingeportion extends parallel to a longitudinal axis of the head portion,wherein in the second configuration the longitudinal axis of the hingeportion extends at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the headportion.

Further aspects, objectives, and advantages, as well as the structureand function of embodiments, will become apparent from a considerationof the description, drawings, and examples.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing drawings wherein like reference numbers generally indicateidentical, functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements.

FIG. 1 is an embodiment of a multi-sport ball;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the multi-sport ball of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a multi-sport ball;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the multi-sport ball of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the outer ball of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the intermediate chamber of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate chamber of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a multi-sport ball;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the intermediate chamber of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate chamber of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a multi-sportball;

FIG. 12 is a side view of the intermediate chamber of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the intermediate chamber of FIG.12;

FIG. 14 is an embodiment of a multi-sport ball;

FIG. 15 is an exploded view of the multi-sport ball of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is an exploded view of the multi-sport ball of FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is an embodiment of a multi-sport ball;

FIG. 18 is an embodiment of a multi-sport ball;

FIG. 19 is an embodiment of a multi-sport apparatus;

FIG. 20 is an embodiment of a multi-sport apparatus;

FIG. 21 is an assembled view of the multi-sport apparatus of

FIG. 20 in a first configuration;

FIG. 22 is the multi-sport apparatus of FIG. 21 in a secondconfiguration;

FIG. 23 is an embodiment of a multi-sport apparatus in a firstconfiguration;

FIG. 24 is an exploded view of the multi-sport apparatus of FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is the multi-sport apparatus of FIG. 23 in a secondconfiguration;

FIG. 26 is an embodiment of a multi-sport apparatus in a secondconfiguration;

FIG. 27 is the multi-sport apparatus of FIG. 26 in a firstconfiguration;

FIG. 28 is an embodiment of a multi-sport apparatus in a secondconfiguration;

FIG. 29 is the multi-sport apparatus of FIG. 28 in a firstconfiguration;

FIG. 30 is an embodiment of a multi-sport apparatus in a secondconfiguration;

FIG. 31 is an embodiment of a multi-sport apparatus in a firstconfiguration;

FIG. 32 is the multi-sport apparatus of FIG. 31 in a secondconfiguration;

FIG. 33 is an embodiment of a multi-sport apparatus in a firstconfiguration;

FIG. 34 is the multi-sport apparatus of FIG. 33 in a secondconfiguration;

FIG. 35 is an embodiment of a game selection screen;

FIG. 36 is an embodiment of a point selection screen;

FIG. 37 is an embodiment of a game play screen;

FIG. 38 is an exemplary embodiment of a computing device;

FIG. 39 is an embodiment of an intermediate chamber; and

FIG. 40 is an embodiment of a multi-sport ball.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the invention are discussed in detail below. Indescribing embodiments, specific terminology is employed for the sake ofclarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to thespecific terminology so selected. For example, although specific typesof balls and sporting equipment are used in the following embodiments,it is foreseen that other types of sporting equipment and balls may beadapted for use in the various embodiments. A person skilled in therelevant art will recognize that other equivalent parts can be employedand other methods developed without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention.

Multi-Sport Ball

Referring now to FIGS. 1-19, various embodiments of a multi-sport ball 1are illustrated. Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a multi-sport ball 1may generally comprise an outer ball 11, an intermediate ball 13, aninner ball 15, and a disc 17. The outer ball 11, intermediate ball 13,inner ball 15, and disc 17 may be respectively used for different sportsor games such as, for example, but not limited to golf, baseball,croquet, cricket, football, rugby, soccer, basketball, ultimate, anddodge ball. It is foreseen that other types of balls may be used withthe various embodiments. According to an embodiment, the inner ball 15may be, for example, a golf ball or a baseball, the intermediate ball 13may be, for example, a football or a rugby ball, the outer ball 11 maybe, for example, a soccer ball or a basketball, and the disc 17 may be,for example, a flying disc. The inner ball 15 may be a hybrid ball suchas, for example, a ball having dimples on a surface thereon (such as ona golf ball), as well as real or painted red stitching (such as on abaseball). According to the embodiment, the inner ball 15 and/or theouter ball 11 may be substantially spherical whereas the intermediateball 13 may be oblong or another non-spherical shape. However, it isforeseen that the intermediate ball 13 may also be spherical. Moreover,according to other embodiments, the multi-sport ball 1 may be providedwithout any one or more of the inner ball 15, the intermediate ball 13,the outer ball 11, and/or the disc 17. For example, the multi-sport ball1 may be provided with only the outer ball 11 and the intermediate ball13. As another example, the multi-sport ball 1 may be provided with onlythe outer ball 11 and the inner ball 15.

The outer ball 11 may be separated into a first hemisphere or side 11 aand a second hemisphere or side 11 b both having an intermediatecompartment 21 formed therein. At least one or both hemispheres or sides11 a or 11 b may further include a circumferential compartment 23.Similarly, the intermediate ball 13 may be separated into a firsthemisphere or side 13 a and a second hemisphere or side 13 b both havingan inner compartment 25 formed therein. According to an embodiment, atleast one or both hemispheres or sides 13 a and 13 b may further includea circumferential compartment similar to the circumferential compartment23 of the hemispheres or sides 11 a or 11 b.

In an assembled configuration, as illustrated at FIG. 1, for example,both of the intermediate ball 13 and inner ball 15 may be containedwithin the outer ball 11. For example, the inner ball 15 may becontained within or received by the inner compartment 25 of theintermediate ball hemispheres or sides 13 a and 13 b. Similarly, theintermediate ball 13 may be contained within or received by theintermediate compartment 21 of the outer ball hemispheres or sides 11 aand 11 b. Further, the disc 17 may be contained within or received bythe circumferential compartment 23 of one or both of the outer ballhemispheres or sides 11 a and 11 b. In such a manner, for example, threeballs and a disc may comprise a single multi-sport ball 1. It isforeseen that that the inner compartment 25 may be formed or shaped toreceive other items instead of or in addition to the inner ball 15, suchas, for example, a can, a beer or soda can, a wallet, a key or set ofkeys on a keychain, food, other item of suitable size to fit in theinner compartment 24. Similarly, it is foreseen that the intermediatecompartment 21 may be formed or shaped to receive such other itemsinstead of or in addition to the intermediate ball 13. Further, it isforeseen that the outer ball 11 and/or intermediate ball 13 may beformed from a thermal insulating material. For example, the thermalinsulating material may keep a cold or hot food item at a desiredtemperature within the multi-sport ball 1.

According to an embodiment, the outer ball 11, the intermediate ball 13,and the inner ball 15 may be formed from, for example, but not limitedto, a foam, a plastic, an insulating material, or a rubber.Additionally, the walls of any of the outer ball 11, the intermediateball 13, and/or the inner ball 15 may have or may be an inflatablebladder. For example, each of the outer ball 11, the intermediate ball13, and the inner ball 15 may be made of a soft, spongy, or compressiblematerial. According to an embodiment, the foam material may be coveredwith a skin, Teflon, rubber, or other material in order to preventdamage to the foam material. It is foreseen, for example, that the innerball 15 may be formed from, for example, but not limited to, a plastic,wood, metal, or other rigid or semi-rigid material, as known to one ofordinary skill in the art. Similarly, the outer ball 11 may be formedfrom, for example, but not limited to, a leather, rubber, or other rigidor semi-rigid material as known to one of ordinary skill in the art.Various combinations of materials may be used for each of the outer ball11, the intermediate ball 13, and the inner ball 15.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-6, the multi-sport ball 1 may further comprisean intermediate chamber 31 and an inner chamber 33. The intermediatecompartment 21 of the outer ball 11 may have the intermediate chamber 31therein. For example, the intermediate chamber 31 may at leastpartially, fully, or substantially line the intermediate compartment 21of each of the hemispheres or sides 11 a and 11 b of the outer ball 11such that the intermediate chamber 31 is divided between sides orhemispheres 31 a and 31 b. The inner compartment 25 of the intermediateball 13 may have the inner chamber 33 therein. For example, the innerchamber 33 may substantially line the inner compartment 25 of each ofthe hemispheres or sides 13 a and 13 b of the intermediate ball 13 suchthat the inner chamber 33 is divided between sides or hemispheres 33 aand 33 b.

The intermediate chamber 31 and inner chamber 33 may be formed from, forexample, but not limited to, a plastic, a rubber, a metal, or otherrigid or semi-rigid material, as known to one of ordinary skill in theart. According to an embodiment, the material of the intermediatechamber 31 and the inner chamber 33 may be relatively more rigid thanthe material of the outer ball 11 and/or the intermediate ball 13.

The intermediate chamber 31 and inner chamber 33 may be attached oraffixed to the intermediate compartment 21 of the outer ball 11 and theinner compartment 25 of the intermediate ball 13, respectively. Forexample, the chambers 31 and 33 may be attached or affixed to thecompartments 21 and 25, respectively, with an epoxy, glue, or otheradhesive, as known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Alternatively orin combination with an adhesive, the chambers 31, 33 may be attached oraffixed to the compartments 21 and 25, respectively, with clips, screws,and/or other fastener, as known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

The hemispheres or sides 31 a and 31 b of the intermediate chamber 31may be fastened together in order to fasten together the sides orhemispheres 11 a and 11 b of the outer ball 11. Similarly, thehemispheres or sides 33 a and 33 b of the inner chamber 33 may befastened together in order to fasten together the sides or hemispheres13 a and 13 b of the intermediate ball 13. As illustrated at FIG. 2, forexample, the hemispheres or sides 31 a and 31 b of the intermediatechamber 31 and the hemispheres or sides 33 a and 33 b of the innerchamber 33 may be affixed together with quarter turn fasteners. Forexample, the hemispheres or sides 31 a and 33 a of the intermediatechamber 31 and inner chamber 33, respectively, may be provided with malefasteners or connectors 35 and 37. The respective mating hemispheres orsides 31 b and 33 b of the intermediate chamber 31 and inner chamber 33,respectively, may be provided with female fasteners or connectors 39 and41. Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the hemispheres or sides having themale or female fasteners or connectors may be switched. For example, thehemispheres or sides 31 b and 33 a of the intermediate chamber 31 andinner chamber 33, respectively, may be provided with male fasteners orconnectors 35 and 37. The mating hemispheres or sides 31 a and 33 b ofthe intermediate chamber 31 and inner chamber 33, respectively, may beprovided with female fasteners or connectors 39 and 41.

According to an embodiment, the quarter turn fasteners or connectors maybe further provided with a snap-in receptacle. For example, when themale fastener or connector 35, 37 is received in and turned relative tothe female fastener or connector 39, 41, the male fastener or connector35, 37 may flex and snap in to a receptacle in the female fastener orconnector 39, 41, respectively. During use, the snap-in receptacle mayprevent the hemispheres or sides 31 a, 31 b and 33 a, 33 b fromunfastening or coming apart. As explained in more detail below, it isforeseen that other types of fasteners or connectors may be used tofasten or affix together the sides or hemispheres of the respectivechambers and balls.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the hemispheres or sides 31 a and 31 b of theintermediate chamber 31 may form an equatorial or centered seam 45dividing the hemispheres or sides 31 a and 31 b equally. According toother embodiments, it is foreseen that the various components of themulti-sport ball 1 may be resized and rearranged such that the seam 45is along an axis other than the equatorial or center axis. According toother embodiments, although the hemispheres or sides 31 a and 31 b ofthe intermediate chamber 31 may form an equatorial seam 45, the outerball 11 may be shaped so that the visible seam is not, for example,along the equator of the spherical ball or is not linear (ie zig-zag,curved, etc.).

Referring now to FIG. 4, the sides or hemispheres 11 a and 11 b of theouter ball 11 may include circumferential mating faces 51. Similarly,the sides or hemispheres 13 a and 13 b of the intermediate ball 13 mayinclude circumferential mating faces 53. Referring now to FIG. 5,according to an embodiment, the circumferential mating faces 51 and 53may be a protruding face 55 protruding outwardly from a reference plane57 of the circumferential mating faces 51 and/or 53. The protruding face55 is compressible upon attachment with the other of the circumferentialmating faces 51 and/or 53, respectively. According to an embodiment,upon mating and compression of the circumferential mating faces, theprotruding faces 55 are compressed to or approximately to the referenceplane 57. For example, an embodiment of an outer ball 11 is illustratedat FIG. 5. Upon contact of the circumferential mating faces 51, theprotruding faces 55 may be compressed together such that the protrudingfaces 55 are compressed to or approximately to the reference plane 57.Upon compression of the protruding faces 55 to or approximately to thereference plane 57, the outer ball 11 may form a substantially sphericalshape.

According to an embodiment, the protruding face 55 may be a non-planarconvex face. It is foreseen that the protruding face 55 may be othershapes protruding from the reference plane 57 such as, for example, butnot limited to, a planar protruding portion, a curved protrudingportion, or other shaped protruding portion. According to an embodiment,the protruding portion 55 may be formed integrally and of the samematerial as outer ball 11 or intermediate ball 13. According to anotherembodiment, the protruding portion 55 may be formed of a relatively morerigid material on or within the circumferential mating faces 51 and 53.For example, upon mating of the respective circumferential mating faces,the body of the outer ball 11 or intermediate ball 13 may compress toreceive or further receive the protruding portion 55 therein. Accordingto different embodiments, only one or both circumferential mating facesmay have the protruding portion 55 therein or thereon.

According to an embodiment, when the outer ball 11 or intermediate ball13 is in an assembled configuration with fasteners or connectors, asillustrated in cross-section at FIG. 3, for example, the at least one ortwo protruding portions 55 may urge the respective sides or hemispheres11 a, 11 b and 13 a, 13 b linearly apart. For example, the linear forceimparted by the protruding portions 55 may prevent the fasteners orconnectors from unfastening or disconnecting. For example, the quarterturn fasteners or connectors described above require a rotationalmovement to unfasten or disconnect one side or hemisphere from the otherside or hemisphere. With the outward linear urging from the matingcircumferential faces having at least one protruding portion 55,increased frictional force is provided between the matingcircumferential faces in order to prevent relative rotational movementthereof.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, an embodiment of the intermediatechamber 31 is illustrated. As explained above, the intermediate chamber31 may include two sides or hemispheres 31 a and 31 b having a fasteneror connector 35, 39 in order to fasten or connect the two sides orhemispheres 31 a and 31 b together. Each side or hemisphere 31 a and 31b may further include middle portion 61 and an end, cap, or dome portion63. According to an embodiment, the middle portion 61 may have adifferent shape than the end portion 63. For example, the middle portion61 may be substantially or approximately spherical and have a firstradius. The end portion 63 may be substantially or approximatelyspherical and have a second radius smaller than the first radius. It isforeseen that the middle portion 61 may also be a cylindrical shape, anon-symmetrical shape, or other shape. It is foreseen that the endportion 63 may be a cylindrical shape, a non-symmetrical shape, or othershape that protrudes outwardly or discontinuously from the middleportion 61. It is also foreseen that only one side or hemisphere 31 a or31 b may include the end portion 63. For example, one side or hemisphere31 a or 31 b may be a substantially spherical hemisphere and the otherside or hemisphere 31 a or 31 b may have the end portion 63.

Referring now to FIG. 39, one or both sides or hemispheres 31 a and 31 bof the intermediate chamber 31 may include the middle portion 61 havingan open end or no end portion. According to an embodiment, one or bothsides or hemispheres 31 a and 31 b may not have a cap or dome portion.For example, the embodiment of FIG. 39 may have a lighter weight becauseless material is used to form the intermediate chamber 31. For theintermediate ball 15, each side 15 a and 15 b may have a marker thereonto properly align the balls when fastening or connecting them together.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the ends of the intermediate ball 13 mayextend into or be substantially received by the end portions 63.According to an embodiment, for example, the end portions 63 prevent atleast some crushing of the ends of the oblong intermediate ball 13.Additionally, the end portions 63 may facilitate assembly of themulti-sport ball 1. For example, the end portions 63 center theintermediate ball 13 within the outer ball 11 by receiving the ends ofthe intermediate ball 13.

In the illustrated embodiment, the sides or hemispheres 33 a and 33 b ofthe inner chamber 33 may form a substantially spherical shape. Forexample, the spherical shape receives the spherically shaped inner ball15. However, it is foreseen that the sides or hemispheres 33 a and 33 bof the inner chamber 33 may include one or two end portions similar tothe end portions 63 of the intermediate chamber 31.

Referring again to FIG. 1, each side of the outer ball 13 a, 13 b mayhave a substantially mirror image of pentagrams thereon. It is foreseenthat the pentagrams of each side 13 a and 13 b will line up uponfastening or connecting the two sides 13 a and 13 b together. Forexample, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the outer ball 11 may have fivepentagrams therearound and 5 mating pairs of fasteners or connectors 35.Accordingly, the pentagrams may line up upon fastening or connecting thetwo sides 13 a and 13 b together regardless of the relative rotationalposition of the two sides 13 a and 13 b.

Referring now to FIGS. 8-10, an embodiment of multi-sport ball 1′ isillustrated. The features of the embodiment are referenced with numeralsof like parts of the other embodiments. For example, the embodiment ofFIGS. 8-10 includes different chamber shapes and fastening or connectingstructures. The intermediate chamber 31′ may include two sides orhemispheres 31 a′ and 31 b′ having a fastener or connector 35′, 39′ inorder to fasten or connect the two sides or hemispheres 31 a′ and 31 b′together. The fastener or connector 35′, 39′ may comprise a threadedmale portion 35′ and a threaded female portion 39′. According to anembodiment, the male and female threaded portions 35′ and 39′ may havethree threads. It is foreseen that the fastener or connector may haveone, two, four, or other number of threads.

Similarly, the inner chamber 33′ may include two sides or hemispheres 33a′ and 33 b′ having a fastener or connector 37′, 41′ in order to fastenor connect the two sides or hemispheres 33 a′ and 33 b′ together. Thefastener or connector 37′, 41′ may comprise a threaded male portion 37′and a threaded female portion 41′. The threaded male portion 39′ maycomprise a receiving lip 75 for aligning and/or receiving the femalethreaded portion 41′.

According to an embodiment, the male and female threaded portions 37′and 41′ may have three threads. It is foreseen that fastener orconnector may have one, two, four, or other number of threads.

As illustrated at FIG. 8, for example, the inner shape of the innerchamber 33′ may be substantially spherical. However, it is foreseen thatthe inner shape of the inner chamber 33′ may be another shape. Forexample, the inner shape of the inner chamber 33′ may be shaped similarto any shaped item intended to be placed therein.

According to an embodiment, the male and female threaded portions 35′,37′, 39′, and 41′ may further comprise a detent that catches when thethreaded male portions are fully engaged with the threaded femaleportions. The detent may prevent the sides or hemispheres 11 a, 11 b ofthe outer ball 11 and the sides or hemispheres 13 a, 13 b of theintermediate ball 13 from coming apart or unthreading during use. It isforeseen that the detent may be released by, for example, applyingrelative rotational force to the sides or hemispheres 11 a, 11 b,respectively, of the outer ball 11 and the sides or hemispheres 13 a, 13b, respectively, of the intermediate ball 13 to disengage the threadedmale portions from the threaded female portions. It is foreseen that thethreads may be a trapezoidal thread, a square thread, a buttress thread,a rounded thread, and any other type of thread, as known to one ofordinary skill in the art.

It is foreseen that the intermediate ball 13 may be compressed along thelongitudinal axis A_(L) in the intermediate chamber 31′ upon assembly orclosure of the fastener or connector 35′, 39′. For example, theuncompressed shape or length of the intermediate ball 13 along thelongitudinal axis A_(L) may be longer than when in the compressed shapeas illustrated at FIG. 8. As an example, an uncompressed length of theintermediate ball 13 may be 8 inches, whereas a fully compressed lengthof the intermediate ball 13, as illustrated at FIG. 8, may be 6 inches.According to an embodiment, when the first thread of the threaded maleportion 35′ couples with the first thread of the threaded female portion39′, the intermediate ball 13 may be in its uncompressed shape or aslightly compressed state. As the threaded male portion 35′ and thethreaded female portion 39′ engage additional threads, the intermediateball 13 may be further compressed until the threaded male portion 35′and the threaded female portion 39′ fully engaged. According to anembodiment, it is foreseen that such a configuration facilitatescompression of the intermediate ball 13 with minimal linear forceapplied to the outer ball 11 when engaging the threads 35′ and 39′. Forexample, a child may easily apply relative rotational force to each sideor hemisphere 11 a and 11 b, respectively, of the outer ball 11 to fullycompress the intermediate ball 13 therein. It is foreseen that thecompression of the intermediate ball 13 may apply an outwardly urgingforce against each side 11 a and 11 b of the outer ball 11. For example,the outwardly urging force may urge the sides 11 a and 11 b apart thusproviding a linear force and associated frictional force in order toprevent the fasteners or connectors from unfastening or disconnecting,such as is explained with respect to FIG. 4.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, the intermediate chamber 31′ isillustrated having sides or hemispheres 31 a′ and 31 b′, as explainedabove. The intermediate chamber 31′ may comprise a center portion 71 andend portions 73. The center portion 71 may be a substantiallycylindrically shaped. According to an embodiment, the center portion 71may be the area having the fastener or connector 35′, 39′. The endportions 73 may be rounded or a spherical dome shape. It is foreseenthat the end portions 73 may be other shapes such as, for example,spherical domes, squared, or other shapes, as known to one of ordinaryskill in the art.

Referring now to FIGS. 11-13, an embodiment of the multi-sport ball 1″is illustrated. For clarity, the features of the embodiment arereferenced with numerals of similar parts of the other embodiments. Forexample, the embodiment of FIGS. 11-13 includes different chamber shapesand fastening or connecting structures. According to an embodiment, theintermediate chamber 31″ may have a substantially spherical inner shape.However, it is foreseen that the inner shape of the intermediate chamber31″ may be other shapes. For example, the inner shape of theintermediate chamber 31″ may be shaped similar to any shaped itemintended to be placed therein. According to an embodiment, the innershape of the intermediate chamber 31″ may be shaped in an oblong orfootball shape.

The intermediate chamber 31″ may include two sides or hemispheres 31 a″and 31 b″ having a fastener or connector 35″, 39″ in order to fasten orconnect the two sides or hemispheres 31 a″ and 31 b″ together. Thefastener or connector 35″, 39″ may comprise a threaded male portion 35″and a threaded female portion 39″. According to an embodiment, the maleand female threaded portions 35″ and 39″ may have three threads. It isforeseen that fastener or connector may have one, two, four, or othernumber of threads.

According to an embodiment, the threaded male portion 35″ may comprise areceiving lip 75 for aligning and/or receiving the female threadedportion 39″. For example, the receiving lip 75 may protect the materialof the side or hemisphere 11 b of the outer ball 11 from wear fromcontact with the female threaded portion 39″.

As illustrated at FIG. 11, for example, the inner chamber 33″ may haveidentical structure to the intermediate chamber 31″ but in relativelysmaller dimensions.

Referring now to FIG. 40, each side or hemisphere 11 a and 11 b of theouter ball 11 may be provided with a buckle configuration to fasten orconnect the sides 11 a and 11 b together. For example, one side 11 a maybe provided with a slot, and the other side 11 b may be provided with apin. The slot may have a tortuous path and receive the pin as the sides11 a and 11 b are rotated relative to each other.

Referring now to FIGS. 14-18, other embodiments of a multi-sport ballare illustrated. Referring now to FIGS. 14 and 15, a multi-sport ball 81is illustrated. The multi-sport ball 81 may generally comprise aspherical center ball 83 and two end cones 85. The end cones 85 may beremovably attached to the spherical center ball 83 with threadedconnectors 87. The threaded connectors 87 may extend inwardly from theend cones 85 such that that they are received into threaded receiversformed in the spherical center ball 83. In the assembled configured, asillustrated at FIG. 14, the multi-sport ball 81 may be, for example, anoblong, football, or rugby shaped ball. Upon removal of the end cones85, the spherical center ball 83 may be usable, for example, as a soccerball or basketball. It is foreseen that other types of balls and shapesmay be used in combination with the embodiment.

According to another embodiment of the multi-sport ball 81, the endcones 85 may be removably attached to the spherical center ball 83 withmagnets or hook-and-loop fasteners 91, 93. For example, a plurality ofmagnets or hook-and-loop fasteners 93 may be affixed along an innercircumference of the end cones 85. A mating plurality of magnets orhook-and-loop fasteners 91 may be affixed along a circumference of thespherical center ball 83. In the assembled position, the end cones 85are placed on the spherical center ball 83 such that the respectiveplurality of magnets or hook-and-loop fasteners 91, 93 mate. In order toremove the end cones 85 from the spherical center ball 83, oppositepulling force may be applied to each end cone 85.

Referring now to FIG. 17, an embodiment of a multi-sport ball 101 isillustrated. The multi-sport ball 101 generally comprises an outer ball103 a, 103 b and an inner ball 105. According to an embodiment, theouter ball 103 a, 103 b may be an oblong ball, such as, for example, afootball or a rugby ball. The inner ball 105 may be a spherical ball,such as, for example, a baseball or a golf ball. It is foreseen thatother types of balls and shapes may be used in combination with theembodiment.

The outer ball 103 a, 103 b may have a cavity 107 formed in each of twodetachable sides 103 a and 103 b. Mating faces 109 on each of thedetachable sides 103 a and 103 b may have a plurality of magnets orhook-and-loop fasteners 111 affixed thereon. The mating faces 109 oneach of the detachable sides 103 a and 103 b may be placed together toform the outer ball 103 a, 103 b as an assembled, usable, or whole ball.The inner ball 105 may be placed into the cavity 107 or removed from thecavity 107 prior to assembling the outer ball 103 a, 103 b.

Referring now to FIG. 18, an embodiment of a multi-sport ball 121 isillustrated. The multi-sport ball 121 may generally comprise an innerball 123 and a hinged outer ball 125. The hinged outer ball 125 includestwo sides 127 and 129 connected by a hinge 131. Each side 127 and 129 ofthe hinged outer ball 125 forms a cavity 133 therein. The cavity may beconfigured or shaped to hold the inner ball 123. The hinged outer ball125 may be a spherical ball, such as, for example, a soccer ball or abasketball. The inner ball 123 may be an oblong ball, such as, forexample, a football or a rugby ball. However, it is foreseen that theouter ball 125 may be any shape of ball such as, for example, an oblongball, a spherical ball, or other types of balls, having sides that hingerelative to each other. Similarly, the inner ball 123 may be any shapeof ball or other item that fits in the cavity 133 formed in the sides127 and 129 of the outer ball 125.

According to an embodiment, the outer ball 11 may have a recess in whicha fastener or connector release is located. It is foreseen that a usermay access the release in order to allow the sides 11 a and 11 b of theouter ball 11 to unfasten or disconnect. It is foreseen that such arelease may also be incorporated into the intermediate ball 13.

It is foreseen that structure or functionality of any of the embodimentsdescribed with respect to the embodiments of the multi-sport balldescribed above may be used in any combination with each other. Forexample, the protruding face 55 of the circumferential face of the outerball 11 or intermediate ball 13 may be used with the embodiments ofFIGS. 2, 8, and 11.

Multi-Sport Apparatus

Referring now to FIGS. 19-34, embodiments of a multi-sport apparatus 131are illustrated. The multi-sport apparatus 131 may generally comprise ahandle portion 133, a head portion 135, and a hinge portion 137. Asdescribed in more detail below, the multi-sport apparatus 131 may bemodified into various predetermined configurations, the respectivepredetermined configurations being appropriate for use in differentsports. For example, in a first configuration the multi-sport apparatus131 may be suitable for use as a baseball bat and in a secondconfiguration the multi-sport apparatus 131 may be suitable for use as agolf club. It is foreseen that the multi-sport apparatus 131 may beconfigured for use in other configurations for other sports such as, forexample, a cricket bat, a croquet mallet, or an apparatus suitable forother types of sports.

Referring now to FIG. 19, an embodiment of the multi-sport apparatus 131is illustrated. According to the embodiment, the handle portion 133 maybe integrally attached to the head portion 135. For example, accordingto an embodiment, the handle portion 133 may not removable from the headportion 135. The head portion 135 may have a slot 139 formed therein forhingedly receiving the hinge portion 137. The slot 139 may be formed atleast partially through a diameter of the head portion 135. According toan embodiment, the slot 139 may be formed completely through thediameter of the head portion 135.

Referring now to FIGS. 20-22, an embodiment of the multi-sport apparatus131 is illustrated. According to the embodiment, the head portion 135may be removable from the handle portion 133. For example, an end of thehandle portion 133 may have a threaded connection 147 and an end of thehead portion 135 may have a corresponding threaded connection 149. Asillustrated in FIGS. 20 and 21, the threaded connection 147 of thehandle portion 133 may be a male threaded connection and the threadedconnection 149 of the head portion 135 may be a female threadedconnection. However, it is foreseen that the handle portion 133 may havethe female threaded connection and the head portion 135 may have themale threaded connection. It is also foreseen that other types or meansof connection may be used to attach the head portion 135 to the handleportion 133. For example, the head portion 135 may be attached to thehandle portion 133 with magnets, hook-and-loop fasteners, a detent, orother connecting devices as known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

According to an embodiment, one or both of the handle portion 133 andthe head portion 135 may have a compartment formed therein. For example,one or both of the handle portion 133 and the head portion 135 may behollow portions. When the handle portion 133 and the head portion 135are attached or threaded together, the compartment may be a water-tightor waterproof compartment. As illustrated at FIG. 21, the compartment inthe handle portion 133 and the head portion 135 may be used for storage.For example, the compartment may be used to store sports equipment 151such as a kite, a net, flags, or other sports equipment, as known to oneof ordinary skill in the art. It is foreseen that other items may bestored in the compartment, such as, for example, personal items, keys,phone, wallet, papers, or other items as known to one of ordinary skillin the art.

Referring now to FIGS. 21 and 22, the hinge portion 137 may be hingedbetween a first configuration, illustrated at FIG. 21, and a secondconfiguration, illustrated at FIG. 22. In the first configuration, forexample, the hinge portion 137 may be at least partially or completelywithin the slot 139 of the head portion 135. In the secondconfiguration, for example, the hinge portion 137 may be at leastpartially or completely outside the slot 139 of the head portion 135.

According to an embodiment, the hinge portion 137 may be generallyrectangular in shape having a bottom section 163 and a face section 165.It is foreseen, however, that the hinge portion 137 may be other shapes,such as, for example, oval, rounded, polygonal, or other shape, as knownto one of ordinary skill in the art. According to an embodiment, theface section 165 may be textured or smooth. For example, the facesection 165 may include grooves similar to a golf club face.

In order to facilitate rotation or hinging of the hinge portion 137, atan end of the hinge portion 137 near the axis of rotation, a cutout 167may be formed in the bottom section 163 to form a stop 169. The cutout167 may allow rotation of the hinge portion 137 to the secondconfiguration until the stop 169 abuts against a corresponding stopportion 171. As illustrated at FIG. 22, for example, the stop 169 andstop portion 171 are configured to allow rotation of the hinge portion137 of approximately 90 degrees. It is foreseen that the stop 169 andstop portion 171 may be modified to allow different degrees of rotationsuch as, for example, greater than or less than 90 degrees of rotation.

According to an embodiment, the hinge portion 137, stop portion 171,and/or head portion 135 may further comprise means for releasably fixingthe hinge portion 137 in the first and/or second configurations. Forexample, the stop 169 may be a magnet and the stop portion 171 may be aferromagnetic metal so that when the hinge portion 137 is in the secondconfiguration, the stop 169 magnetically and releasably affixes to thestop portion 171. As another example, the stop 169 may have ahook-and-loop fastener attached thereto and the stop portion 171 mayhave a corresponding hook-and-loop fastener so that the hook-and-loopfasteners affix to each other when the hinge portion is in the secondconfiguration. Similarly, a magnet or hook-and-loop fastener may be usedto releasably affix the hinge portion 137 in the first configuration.According to yet another embodiment, the cutout 167 or portion of thehinge portion 137 may releasably engage a detent within the slot in boththe first and second configurations. It is foreseen that other means ofreleasably affixing the hinge portion 137 in the first and secondconfigurations may be used, as known to one of ordinary skill in theart.

Referring now to FIGS. 23-25, an embodiment of the multi-sport apparatus181 is illustrated. The multi-sport apparatus 181 may have an integrallyformed handle portion 183 and head portion 185. The head portion 185 maycomprise a body 187 and a hinge portion 189. The hinge portion 189 isrotatable or hingeable between a first configuration, as illustrated atFIG. 23, and a second configuration, as illustrated at FIG. 25. In thefirst configuration, the head portion 185 is substantially cylindricaland may be used as, for example, a baseball bat. In the secondconfiguration, the hinge portion 189 protrudes outwardly from thesubstantially cylindrical shape of the body 187 and may be used as, forexample, a golf club. In order to allow rotation of the hinge portion189 relative to the body 187 of the head portion 185, the bottom end ofthe hinge portion 189 may have a curved edge 191 at one corner. Forexample, the curved edge 191 allows for rotation of the hinge portion189 in a direction away from the curved edge 191. The corner 193 may beshaped such that, in the first position, the corner 193 abuts againstwall 195 of the body 187. Accordingly, the hinge portion 189 having thecurved edge 191 and the corner 193 may be rotated in only one directionrelative to the body 187 of the head portion 185. The hinge portion 189may have an end having an angled or wedge surface.

As explained above with respect to other embodiments, the hinge portion189 and/or body 187 may further comprise means for releasably fixing thehinge portion 137 in the first and/or second configurations. Forexample, the hinge portion 189 may releasably engage a detent in thebody 187.

Referring now to FIG. 24, a rod 197 may be disposed within the handleportion 183 and head portion 185. For example, the rod 197 may bedisposed along the longitudinal axis and may provide rigidity to themulti-sport apparatus 181. The rod 197 may have a cylindrical section199, a cut-away section 201, and an upper section 203. The cut-awaysection 201 may be formed such that it does not extend above the planarsurface 205 of the body 187. The upper section 203 may extend into acarrier section 207 of the body 187.

A carrier 209 may be disposed and affixed within the carrier section207. The carrier 209 may comprise a rotational axis pin 211 and at leastone or two rotational stops 213. The hinge portion 189 may furthercomprise the face 215 having a circular axis pin receiver 217 androtational stop receivers 219 corresponding to the rotational axis pin211 and rotational stops 213. The face 215 may be fixedly attached tothe hinge portion 189. As the hinge portion 189 rotates on the carrier209, the rotational stop 213 engages the rotational stop receiver 219 ateach of the first configuration and the second configuration so that thehinge portion 189 does not over rotate beyond a desired range ofrotation. It is foreseen that the position of the rotational stops 213and/or the rotational stop receiver 219 may be adjusted in order toadjust the angle of rotation of the hinge portion 189. For example, theangle of rotation may be set to 90 degrees. However, it is foreseen thatthe angle of rotation, for example, may be greater or less than 90degrees.

Referring now to FIGS. 26 and 27, an embodiment of the multi-sportapparatus 231 is illustrated. The multi-sport apparatus 231 maygenerally comprise a handle portion 233 and a head portion 235. The headportion 235 may have a slot 237 therein to receive a hinged portion 239.According to the embodiment, the hinged portion 239 may rotate betweenthe first configuration, as illustrated at FIG. 27, in which the hingedportion 239 is received substantially within the slot 237, and thesecond configuration, as illustrated at FIG. 26. According to anembodiment, the hinged portion 239 may have a spring loaded mechanism tourge the hinged portion to the second configuration. For example, theslot 237 may have a detent to releasably catch the hinged portion in thefirst configuration. A detent release button 241 may be provided torelease the hinged portion 239 so that it springs to the secondposition. It is foreseen that the detent release button 241 may belocated on the head portion 235. According to an embodiment, the detentrelease button 241 may be located on either end of the multi-sportapparatus 231 or on the handle portion 233.

Referring now to FIGS. 28 and 29, an embodiment of the multi-sportapparatus 251 is illustrated. The multi-sport apparatus 251 maygenerally comprise a handle portion 253 and a head portion 255. Each endof the head portion 255 may be a male threaded connection 257. At oneend of the head portion, a club head 259 may extend therefrom. In afirst configuration, as illustrated at FIG. 29, the club head 259 may bereceived into a hollow compartment 261 of the handle portion 253. In thefirst configuration, the male threaded connection 257 of the headportion may engage a female threaded portion 263 on the inner wall ofthe hollow compartment 261. In a second position, as illustrated at FIG.28, the head portion 255 may be reversed so that the club head 259extends outwardly from the handle portion 253. In the secondconfiguration, the male threaded connection 257 of the head portion mayengage the female threaded portion 263 on the inner wall of the hollowcompartment 261.

Referring now to FIG. 30, an embodiment of the multi-sport apparatus 271is illustrated. The multi-sport apparatus 271 may generally comprise ahandle portion 273 and a head portion 275. A hinged end 277 may behingedly attached to the handle portion 273 with a hinge 279. In a firstconfiguration, the hinged end 277 may be longitudinally aligned with thehandle portion 273. In second configuration, as illustrated at FIG. 30,the hinged end 279 may be rotated relative to the handle portion 273.For example, the hinged end 279 may be rotated 90 degrees from thelongitudinal axis of the handle portion 273. However, it is foreseenthat the angle of rotation, for example, may be greater or less than 90degrees.

Referring now to FIGS. 31 and 32, an embodiment of the multi-sportapparatus 281 is illustrated. The multi-sport apparatus 281 maygenerally comprise a threaded handle portion 283 and a hollow headportion 285. The threaded handle portion 283 may have a club head 287attached to an end thereof. The club head 287 may be hingedly orrotatably attached to a rod 288 extending from the end of the threadedhandle portion 283. For example, the club head 287 may be spring loadedto urge the club head 287 outwardly from the rod 288. The threadedhandle portion may be threadably received within the hollow head portion285. For example, the internal side wall of head portion 285 may bethreaded in order to engage the threaded handle portion 283. In a firstconfiguration, as illustrated at FIG. 31, the threaded handle portion283 may be at least partially unthreaded from the hollow head portion285 such that the club head 287 may be positioned within the hollow headportion 285. In a second configuration, as illustrated at FIG. 32, thethreaded handle portion 283 may be substantially or fully threaded intothe hollow head portion 285 such that the club head 287 may extendoutside the hollow head portion 285. When the multi-sport apparatus 281is in the second configuration, the club head 287 may be urged to anoutward rotational position, as illustrated at FIG. 32.

Referring now to FIGS. 33 and 34, an embodiment of the multi-sportapparatus 291 is illustrated. The multi-sport apparatus 291 maygenerally comprise a handle portion 293 and a hollow head portion 295.The handle portion 293 may have a club head 297 attached to an endthereof. The club head 297 may be hingedly or rotatably attached to arod 298 extending from the end of the threaded handle portion 293. Forexample, the club head 287 may be spring loaded to urge the club head287 outwardly from the rod 288.

According to an embodiment, the handle portion 293 may be slidablyreceived in the hollow head portion 295. In a first configuration, asillustrated at FIG. 33, the threaded handle portion 293 may be at leastpartially withdrawn from the hollow head portion 295 such that the clubhead 297 may be positioned within the hollow head portion 295. In asecond configuration, as illustrated at FIG. 34, the handle portion 293may be substantially or fully disposed into the hollow head portion 295such that the club head 297 may extend outside the hollow head portion295. When the multi-sport apparatus 291 is in the second configuration,the club head 297 may be urged to an outward rotational position, asillustrated at FIG. 34. According to another embodiment, the handleportion 293 may be spring loaded such that the handle portion 293 isurged to the withdrawn position of the first configuration. When thehandle portion 293 is substantially or fully disposed into the hollowhead portion 295, a detent may catch the handle portion 293 toreleasably fix the handle portion 293 in the disposed position of thesecond configuration.

It is foreseen that structure or functionality of any of the embodimentsdescribed with respect to the embodiments of the multi-sport apparatusdescribed above may be used in any combination with each other.

Computing Device for Indicating Multiple Sports

Referring now to FIGS. 35-38, embodiments of a computing device forindicating multiple sports, such as having a software program for amulti-sport game are described. For example, the software program forthe multi-sport game may be used in combination with the variousembodiments of the multi-sport ball and the multi-sport apparatusdescribed above. As described in more detail below, a user device, suchas a computing device 400, may be configured to store and run thesoftware program.

The software program for the multi-sport game may be loaded onto a userdevice and configured with limited user input in order to control typesof games to be played, the duration of time each of game may be played,and the method of scoring for each game. Referring now to FIG. 35, aplurality of games may be displayed by the user device or from the userdevice with a desired quantity for each game on a game selection screen.For example, the screen depicted at FIG. 35 of the user device indicatesthat a user may select from football, soccer, baseball, and/or golf. Theuser may toggle the desired quantity for each game from the selectionsof “none,” “some,” and “a lot.” The user may also select the totalduration of game play for all the selected games. For example, the usermay toggle between 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, or 60minutes. It is foreseen that any time duration of game play may beentered or selected.

The desired quantity for each game from the selections of “none,”“some,” and “a lot” may indicate a proportion of the total duration ofgame play for each game. An algorithm, of the software program, forexample, may calculate the proportion of game play for each gamedepending the desired quantity selected for each game. For example, if“some” is selected for all of football, soccer, baseball, and golf, thealgorithm with calculate that all games are desired to be played equallyand allocated 25% of the total duration of game play to each of the fourgames. Similarly, if “a lot” is selected for all of football, soccer,baseball, and golf, the algorithm with calculate that all games aredesired to be played equally and allocated 25% of the total duration ofgame play to each of the four games.

When the desired quantity selected for each game varies between “none,”“some,” and “a lot,” the algorithm may determine that the games will beplayed for proportionally different durations of the total game play.For example, if the desired quantity of football to be played is “a lot”and the desired quantity of soccer, baseball, and golf to be played is“some,” the algorithm will determine that the proportion of total gameplay allocated to football will be more than the proportion of totalgame play allocated to each of soccer, baseball, and golf.

For illustrative purposes, Table 1 is provided as an example ofallocation of total game play depending on the selected desiredquantity.

TABLE 1 Desired Proportion of Total Game Quantity Game Play Example 1Football A lot 60.00% Soccer Some 13.30% Baseball Some 13.30% Golf Some13.30% Example 2 Football A lot 33.33% Soccer A lot 33.33% Baseball Some16.67% Golf Some 16.67% Example 3 Football A lot 28.50% Soccer A lot28.50% Baseball A lot 28.50% Golf Some 14.17%

As another example, if “none” of a particular game is selected, thealgorithm will determine that none of the total duration of game playwill be allocated to the particular game. In such an example, theproportion of total game play of the other games are adjustedaccordingly so that 100% of total duration of game play is allocated tothe games selected with a desired quantity of “some” or “a lot.”

As explained in further detail below, the duration of time allocated toeach game by the user device may be calculated by the proportion oftotal game play for each game and the selected total duration of gameplay. A timer function may be set according to the calculated durationof time allocated to each game. For example, a separate countdown may beassigned to the calculated duration of time allocated to each game.

Referring now to FIG. 36, the user may optionally modify the pointsawarded for a score in each of the games on a point selection screen.For example, a user may determine that a score in baseball is worth morepoints than a score in golf. Accordingly, as illustrate at FIG. 36, auser may award 4-points to a score in baseball and 1-point to a score ingolf. It is foreseen that the points awarded for a score in any game mayrange from 1-point to 4-points or more.

The user may also indicate that games longer than a selected durationshould be “split” for the purposes of the timer function. For example,if the algorithm determines that a particular game duration is18-minutes and the user selects that games longer than 10-minutes shouldbe split, the algorithm may split the game into two different timedsegments of 9-minutes each. According to an embodiment, with respect tothe timer function, a separate countdown may be assigned to thecalculated duration of time allocated to each game segment.

Referring now to FIG. 37, an embodiment of a game-play screen isillustrated. The game-play screen generally directs the users as to whattype of game to play and the duration each game may be played.Additionally, the game-play screen may track the scores for each teamduring each game, and award points depending on the number of pointsawarded for each score in the respective games. The game-play screen maycomprise a total game play duration time 301 and an individual gametimer 303. The game-play screen may also indicate the game or gamesegment to be played along with the allocated time duration allocated toeach game or game segment.

According to an embodiment, if 3-points are assigned to a touchdown infootball and 2-points are assigned to a goal in soccer, the score may becalculated accordingly. For example, if Team A scores 1 touchdown infootball and no goals in soccer, a total score of 3-points will beassigned to Team A. If Team B scores 1 touchdown in football and 1 goalin soccer, a total score of 5-points will be assigned to Team B. In sucha manner, one score may be equal to a point total which may bedetermined by the user.

According to an embodiment, the user device may be configured to alertthe user when each timer countdown begins and ends. The user device maybe further configured to alert the user as to which game each timer isassigned to when each timer countdown begins. It is foreseen that theuser device may be configured to randomize the games to be played aswell as the time allocated to each game. It is foreseen that the userdevice may have a speaker or other audible alert. The user device may beconfigured to audibly alert the user or users when the time has expiredfor a particular segment or game. It is foreseen that the user devicemay be further configured to audibly alert the user or users when a newsegment or game begins and also what game has been allocated for thesegment.

The one or more user devices, may be any type of computing device,including a mobile telephone, a laptop, tablet, or desktop computerhaving, for example, a processor, a netbook, a video game device, apager, a smart phone, an ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), or apersonal data assistant (PDA). The one or more user devices may run oneor more applications, such as Internet browsers, voice calls, videogames, videoconferencing, and email, among others. The one or more userdevices may be any combination of computing devices.

FIG. 38 depicts an exemplary architecture for implementing the computingdevice 400 in accordance with one or more embodiments, which may be usedto implement any of the computing devices discussed herein, or any othercomputer system or computing device component thereof. It will beappreciated that other devices that can be used with the computingdevice 400, such as a client or a server, may be similarly configured.As illustrated in FIG. 38, computing device 400 may include a bus 410, aprocessor 420, a memory 430, a read only memory (ROM) 440, a storagedevice 450, an input device 460, an output device 470, and acommunication interface 480.

Bus 410 may include one or more interconnects that permit communicationamong the components of computing device 400. Processor 420 may includeany type of processor, microprocessor, or processing logic that mayinterpret and execute instructions (e.g., a field programmable gatearray (FPGA)). Processor 420 may include a single device (e.g., a singlecore) and/or a group of devices (e.g., multi-core). Memory 430 mayinclude a random access memory (RAM) or another type of dynamic storagedevice that may store information and instructions for execution byprocessor 420. Memory 430 may also be used to store temporary variablesor other intermediate information during execution of instructions byprocessor 420.

ROM 440 may include a ROM device and/or another type of static storagedevice that may store static information and instructions for processor420. Storage device 450 may include a magnetic disk and/or optical diskand its corresponding drive for storing information and/or instructions.Storage device 450 may include a single storage device or multiplestorage devices, such as multiple storage devices operating in parallel.Moreover, storage device 450 may reside locally on the computing device400 and/or may be remote with respect to a server and connected theretovia network and/or another type of connection, such as a dedicated linkor channel.

Input device 460 may include any mechanism or combination of mechanismsthat permit an operator to input information to computing device 400,such as a keyboard, a mouse, a touch sensitive display device, amicrophone, a pen-based pointing device, and/or a biometric inputdevice, such as a voice recognition device and/or a finger printscanning device. Output device 470 may include any mechanism orcombination of mechanisms that outputs information to the operator,including a display, a printer, a speaker, etc.

Communication interface 480 may include any transceiver-like mechanismthat enables computing device 400 to communicate with other devicesand/or systems, such as a client, a server, a license manager, a vendor,etc. For example, communication interface 480 may include one or moreinterfaces, such as a first interface coupled to a network and/or asecond interface coupled to a license manager. Alternatively,communication interface 480 may include other mechanisms (e.g., awireless interface) for communicating via a network, such as a wirelessnetwork. In one implementation, communication interface 480 may includelogic to send code to a destination device, such as a target device thatcan include general purpose hardware (e.g., a personal computer formfactor), dedicated hardware (e.g., a digital signal processing (DSP)device adapted to execute a compiled version of a model or a part of amodel), etc.

Computing device 400 may perform certain functions in response toprocessor 420 executing software instructions contained in acomputer-readable medium, such as memory 430. In alternativeembodiments, hardwired circuitry may be used in place of or incombination with software instructions to implement features consistentwith principles of the disclosure. Thus, implementations consistent withprinciples of the disclosure are not limited to any specific combinationof hardware circuitry and software.

Exemplary embodiments may be embodied in many different ways as asoftware component. For example, it may be a stand-alone softwarepackage, a combination of software packages, or it may be a softwarepackage incorporated as a “tool” in a larger software product. It may bedownloadable from a network, for example, a website, as a stand-aloneproduct or as an add-in package for installation in an existing softwareapplication. It may also be available as a client-server softwareapplication, or as a web-enabled software application. It may also beembodied as a software package installed on a hardware device.

Numerous specific details have been set forth to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the embodiments. It will be understood, however, thatthe embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. Inother instances, well-known operations, components and circuits have notbeen described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments. It can beappreciated that the specific structural and functional details arerepresentative and do not necessarily limit the scope of theembodiments.

It is worthy to note that any reference to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment is includedin at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in anembodiment” in the specification are not necessarily all referring tothe same embodiment.

Although some embodiments may be illustrated and described as comprisingexemplary functional components or modules performing variousoperations, it can be appreciated that such components or modules may beimplemented by one or more hardware components, software components,and/or combination thereof. The functional components and/or modules maybe implemented, for example, by logic (e.g., instructions, data, and/orcode) to be executed by a logic device (e.g., processor). Such logic maybe stored internally or externally to a logic device on one or moretypes of computer-readable storage media.

Some embodiments may comprise an article of manufacture. An article ofmanufacture may comprise a storage medium to store logic. Examples of astorage medium may include one or more types of computer-readablestorage media capable of storing electronic data, including volatilememory or non-volatile memory, removable or non-removable memory,erasable or non-erasable memory, writeable or re-writeable memory, andso forth. Examples of storage media include hard drives, disk drives,solid state drives, and any other tangible storage media.

It also is to be appreciated that the described embodiments illustrateexemplary implementations, and that the functional components and/ormodules may be implemented in various other ways which are consistentwith the described embodiments. Furthermore, the operations performed bysuch components or modules may be combined and/or separated for a givenimplementation and may be performed by a greater number or fewer numberof components or modules.

The embodiments illustrated and discussed in this specification areintended only to teach those skilled in the art the best way known tothe inventors to make and use the invention. Nothing in thisspecification should be considered as limiting the scope of the presentinvention. All examples presented are representative and non-limiting.The above-described embodiments of the invention may be modified orvaried, without departing from the invention, as appreciated by thoseskilled in the art in light of the above teachings. It is therefore tobe understood that, within the scope of the claims and theirequivalents, the invention may be practiced otherwise than asspecifically described.

I claim:
 1. A multi-sport apparatus, comprising: a handle portion, ahead portion having a hingedly attached hinge portion moveable between afirst configuration and a second configuration, wherein in the firstconfiguration a longitudinal axis of the hinge portion extends parallelto a longitudinal axis of the head portion, wherein in the secondconfiguration the longitudinal axis of the hinge portion extends at anangle to the longitudinal axis of the head portion.
 2. The multi-sportapparatus of claim 1, wherein the head portion is removably connected tothe handle portion.
 3. The multi-sport apparatus of claim 2, wherein thehead portion is threadably connected to the handle portion.
 4. Themulti-sport apparatus of claim 2, wherein at least one of the handleportion and head portion is hollow and forms a compartment therein. 5.The multi-sport apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a slot formedin an end of the head portion, wherein the hinge portion is hingedlyattached to the head portion within the slot.
 6. The multi-sportapparatus of claim 5, wherein the hinge portion further comprises acutout section along an angle of rotation of the hinge portion.
 7. Themulti-sport apparatus of claim 6, wherein the hinge portion furthercomprises a stop at an end of the cutout section, wherein the stopengages the a body of the head portion to define the maximum angle ofrotation of the hinge portion.
 8. The multi-sport apparatus of claim 7,wherein the second configuration is defined by the maximum angle ofrotation of the hinge portion
 9. The multi-sport apparatus of claim 1,wherein a face of the hinge portion comprises a plurality of grooves.10. The multi-sport apparatus of claim 1, wherein the head portionfurther comprises a spring that urges the hinge portion to the secondconfiguration.
 11. The multi-sport apparatus of claim 10, wherein thehead portion further comprises a latch to releasably capture the hingeportion in the first configuration.
 12. The multi-sport apparatus ofclaim 11, wherein one of the handle portion and head portion furthercomprises a latch release, wherein the latch release allows the hingeportion to be urged to the second configuration.
 13. The multi-sportapparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one or both of the handle portionand the head portion are hollow.
 14. The multi-sport apparatus of claim13, wherein the at least one or both of the hollow handle portion andthe hollow head portion form a compartment therein.
 15. The multi-sportapparatus of claim 14, wherein the head portion is removably connectedto the handle portion to access the compartment.
 16. The multi-sportapparatus of claim 14, further comprising a kite, wherein thecompartment is configured to receive the kite.